Comments for Snipe Hunt!

Snipe Hunt!

2007-12-29T17:34:57Z

A different kind of whatziss today.

This is a sprocket for a tracked vehicle. The question is - which tracked vehicle?

You'll notice it's marked "Graf BOQ WC Key" meaning it's the key to the water closet, or latrine, of a Graf BOQ.

At Grafenwoehr, Germany, a large training area (for Germany, it would be lost on Fort Irwin) the cantonment area has blocks of barracks, arranged in open horseshoes configuration. At least it did, I have no idea what it looks like now, my last trip to Graf having been when it was used as a Redeployment Assembly Area for REFORGER '88.

Anyway, the barracks formed the sides (they were just open bays, you brought cots, etc) and the latrines were at the end. I don't recall ever using a key - but apparently, at some time, the 6th Battalion, 14th Field Artillery did. As in, they attached the key to this sprocket, so that you wouldn't use the facility and then walk away with it.

I got this thing because it tickled me, I've got many days at Graf (more in the field than in the barracks, but, hey...) and I shared a kaserne with the 6-14FA, back when I was in the 1-22FA of the 1st Tank.

I've shown this to my buds I still have contact with who were in the Warbonnets (note the unit crest on the right side of the sprocket) and they don't remember the sprocket, nor LTC Anckaitis.

The legend that comes with the sprocket is that it was taken from a German sefl-propelled artillery piece destroyed by the 6-14th as they went across France in 1944 as an armored artillery battalion of the 4th Armored Division. It putatively came from the estate of Colonel Anckaitis, recently deceased (that part I'm not sure of, either).

So, here's your challenge - what vehicle did that sprocket come from? I've done some looking and I'm not sure myself, yet. Remember that the Germans used a lot of French, Czech and some Russian chassis to mount artillery on - so don't limit yourself to German sprockets only.

I'd also love it if someone shows up who *knows* the story... Below I've provided two larger front and rear views, to aid you. One of the reasons I provided the rear view is for those of use who have broken down more modern vehicles (I'm not ruling those out) that side may help eliminate some possibles. The inner diameter of the sprocket is 14.75 inches.

Front view. Rear view.

Go forth, ye hordes of Argghhh! and scour the 'net! Bring me ~~the head of Alfredo Garcia~~ er, pics of candidate vehicles!

Comment from Oran Woody on 2008-01-01

2008-01-01T16:53:22Z

I was permanent party at Graf, until I found myself headed for VN. Last there in 1967, so the sprocket in question may have still been part of Mother Gia when I was there. Woody

Comment from John of Arghhh! on 2007-12-31

2007-12-31T18:29:43Z

I've seen that, too. I tried, anyway, in case it's a different fellow. You'd think the Township would have updated its website by now, though!

Comment from Gun Trash on 2007-12-31

2007-12-31T17:27:12Z

Re the suggestion to email the Lt Col. I don't think the Colonel will reply. If I googled correctly it appears he is no longer with us. Not in the physical sense, anyway. His obit notice is scattered about the web. The one I distinctly recall was at one of the schools he taught at, Virginia State University.

Comment from BillT on 2007-12-31

2007-12-31T15:04:50Z

Graf von Boquisucio, mebbe?

Comment from MajMike on 2007-12-31

2007-12-31T14:33:25Z

personally leaning more towards Olaf's response than towards Eric's.... one would think that i would be able to remember how many knuckles get busted on each sprocket change for each vehicle type; but in any case, the teeth are too small for the M60 series. btw, John: don't get target fixation. this may NOT be the key retention device for the latrine at one of the regular camp sites (Aachen or Normandy). the label on it clearly declares it to be the BOQ key, so now you would have to expand the possible sites to include the German style barracks (with bunkage included) that are over by Normanday, as well as including the BOQ near the old Officer's Club.

Comment from fdcol63 on 2007-12-30

2007-12-31T03:58:38Z

If you look at the sprocket in a certain way, it almost reminds you of ...... a ship's helm. And what would that remind you of, eh, John? Maybe .. 2nd BDE ("Helmsmen"), 1st AD ("Old Ironsides")? LOL

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2007-12-30

2007-12-30T18:35:41Z

Boq - shouldn't that have been Graf's Pee?

Comment from OlafTheTanker on 2007-12-30

2007-12-30T18:24:53Z

There's only one problem with thinking the sprocket is from an M60/88 series. The one shown has 11 sprocket teeth and 11 bolt holes, the M60/88 hull series drive sprocket has 11 sprocket teeth and 10 bolt holes and was a heck of a lot thicker. ;)

Comment from Eric on 2007-12-30

2007-12-30T15:23:35Z

replaceable sprocket belongs to a M60A3 tank or M88 recovery vehicle as these have many common drive train components. By the way, I have changed many of these. requires much bolt twisting and bouncing on 'T' bar-cheater bar-tanker bar assembly. Most fun when accomplished at 0100, knee deep in mud wile snowing

Comment from Old Soldier on 2007-12-30

2007-12-30T06:00:43Z

Info on LTC Anckaitis, he was the commander of 1/75 FA BN in the 1986 time frame.. http://sill-www.army.mil/FAMAG/1986/JUL_AUG_1986/JUL_AUG_1986_PAGES_18.pdf http://www.lvmac.org/VetLibrary/Flashbacks.htm He is apparently the Township Secretary of Palmer Township in Northampton County, PA ranckaitis@palmertwp.com Drop him an email and ask him.... (note all information from a Google Search of Public websites)

Comment from PaleoMedic on 2007-12-29

2007-12-30T05:59:22Z

Never made it to Graf. I was a Wildflecken guy. Plus I was a combat medic so I don't know shite from apple butter when it comes to machinery. Still...good times, good times.

Comment from John on 2007-12-29

2007-12-30T03:03:14Z

Methinks there is an exciting and not necessarily positive explanation behind this "key fob". My salty sailor friends would be likely to present such a trinket to a hapless comrade as a memento of a misfortune. Can't you all envision some tank (or other tracked vehicle) driver/commander/or unit commander breeching a new entry into the outhouse/latrine (whatever you mud dwellers call them) with said tracked vehicle? Bet there was a whole lot of explaining going on after something like that. Meanwhile I will check out the sprockets on M41, M47, M48, M60 tanks and the 8 in SP when I get a chance next week.

Comment from dave on 2007-12-29

2007-12-30T00:49:02Z

no idea what vehicle it came from, but your post brought back somf graf flashback-nightmares... i was an air force weather observer attached to the 2nd acr out of nurenburg from 1982-1985. one night some of the rocket scientists manning the artillery battery walked their rounds across our bivouac area. lot's of heads rolled on that one from the battery commander on down. fortunately nobody was killed or injured. but hey, it was good training. got me ready for the experience of scud and patriot pieces raining down on us in riyadh during the great unfinished gulf war! lol... hey, still love you arty guys though...

Comment from OlafTheTanker on 2007-12-29

2007-12-29T21:56:40Z

To be fair, it can also be found on the M107 175mm or M110 8" self-propelled gun. Definitely the inside view, judging by the bevel cut where the bolt holes are. My money is on the M110 since the clues point to "WC" for latrine designation. ;)

Comment from Graf-Spee-Boquisucio on 2007-12-29

2007-12-29T21:54:27Z

Ahhh - 'Tis good to see my own sprocket proudly featured at The Castle. Though I may remind everyone that its provenance is not from the Graf Spee, but from The Moat's Sand Pebbles. BOQ

Comment from heath on 2007-12-29

2007-12-29T19:26:39Z

M578 Drive Sprocket. Heath